Blitz! ...... Into The Best Fishing Related Web Links and Services

Why Use Polarized Wraparound Sunglasses and Goggles For Fishing?  By Jerry Cole 

Several years ago wrap around sunglasses took the recreational sports world by storm. I was trying to remember when and where I saw my first pair if sunglasses with the wraparound look. It was most likely on the rider of a Harley Davidson motorcycle or maybe it was on a driver at a Nascar race. These free thinking guys may have been the earliest to realize all the advantages of the wrap around look. Another of the earliest wearers that I personally noticed was on the runners in both long distance and sprint running events.

To me these new sunglasses looked sleek and fast but soon I realized that their look was secondary to their function. Wrap around sunglasses offer the wearer the opportunity to have better coverage and protection against the sun’s UV rays but also they tend to block other foreign material from wrapping around the glasses and into the eyes. In a unique way this style will almost act as goggles and sunglasses simultaneously.   

For years, boaters and fishermen have used wraparound polarized sunglasses to reduce reflected glare from the water surrounding them. Now, many others who spend time outdoors have discovered the benefits of polarized lenses. The popularity of polarized wraparound styles have since soared. Besides boaters, other outdoor enthusiasts who benefit greatly from polarized sunglasses include skiers, cyclists, golfers, and joggers enjoying a clearer  and more protected view with the virtual elimination of glare as an added bonus. Polarized wraparound sunglasses can also be used for driving and will reduce glare from a long, flat surface such as the hood of the car or the road's surface.    

Nascar drivers and teams made the look of wrap around sunglasses even more popular by accepting sunglasses sponsors. Oakley, Bolle, Ocean Waves, and others found a willing audience among Nascar fans that wanted to look like their favorite driver. These Nascar fans soon found that the benefits of polarized wrap around sunglasses outweighed their looks. 

Quality sunglasses come in a wide variety of materials. Remember that the larger frames and lenses can also cause heavier weights. Heavier sunglasses are not going to be appealing to anyone other then someone wearing them in high speed situations where the wind might remove an ill fitting pair that is extremely light. You should carefully consider ordering any glass lenses. Optical clarity is an advantage to glass lenses but weight is a factor. If selecting glass lenses look for manufacturer’s designs that have a government ANZI rating for shatter protection and also look for glass lenses that have their polarizing laminate sandwiched between the glass lenses.

If you find that heavier lenses tend to slip down your nose during outdoor activities you might want to consider a good quality sunglasses with poly lenses. Poly lenses have 3 times the shatter strength while actually being only half as heavy. Carbolite lenses are a great example of the best impact protection available in a light weight 100% protection lens. 

The rubber anti-slide technology that is used on the popular fishing model polarized fishing sunglasses SOS Aruba (pictured here on the right). The Aruba's are top quality and military grade. They are available through Optician's Choice along with other styles of sunglasses and goggles for motorcycle, golf, cycling, jogging, snowboarding, skiing, and more.    

OK, you found a great looking pair of wraparound sunglasses but you are not sure what the reason is for you to spring for the better quality polarized lenses. It’s the performance. Look at these before and after shots. Can you really afford to be at a disadvantage of not being able to see everything possible when you are participating in your chosen sport? If you just want an excuse, not having good polarized glasses would be a good one. But most people participating in driving, golf, fishing, cycling, motorcycle riding, snowboarding, mountain biking, running, jogging, ATV, flying (aviator) or any other outdoor activity realize that it’s not very smart to put themselves at that disadvantage. 

One of the best things to happen in years is that manufacturers have now begun to realize the importance of being able to produce wrap around sunglasses in individual prescriptions or Rx. With today’s materials it is now possible to build even the most difficult Rx lenses. For those with presbyopia that need to be able to do close up work in their outdoor sport (like tying a fishing line) manufacturers are now offering wraparound models with the bifocal low on the lenses in order to not interfere with your normal field of vision.  Lens color is another consideration that shouldn’t be left to “style” and “esthetics.”  Choose the lens color that best fits your chosen outdoor activity. Dark lenses like green and deep blue tend to cut the available light passing to the eye. This can diminish detail but it may be necessary in the brightest afternoon sunlight. Copper and bronze lenses can actually brighten the vision while filtering UV rays and make a great choice for morning, evening and vision from shade into sunlight like driving.  

What are the drawbacks to polarized wraparound sunglasses? Yes, there are a few. A good fitting pair of wraparound sunglasses tend to seal the area around your eyes. They also can trap your body heat around your eyes. In cold situations they will fog up faster and take longer to acclimate to the surrounding temperatures. Wraparound sunglasses don’t take long to get used to but they tend to fit closer to the eye and take some people a while to adjust to that distance visually.   

Choosing a quality manufacturer is going to mean paying a bit more to get a good quality product that has been specifically designed to do the very best job for the wearer and not be the least expensive. In short, buying cheap isn’t a good idea unless you want to have sub-par vision in your sport. Buying the most expensive may not be a good idea either because most likely you are paying more for the name or esthetics then you are paying for the best quality.

Glare with non-polarized sunglasses